Liberia: Court Hears Kosiah’s Defense Against ‘Liars’ and ‘Manipulators’
BELLINZONA, Switzerland – War crimes suspect Alieu Kosiah delivered a forceful rebuke to six plaintiffs who brought the war crimes case against him here in the Swiss Federal Criminal Court on Monday. The men had accused Kosiah of murdering civilians, forcing them to carry looted goods and eating human hearts among other atrocities. On Monday Kosiah accused Werner of failing to mention that the report said Ulimon killed Ndiminin because he was a Christian and carrying a bible. Werner reminded Kosiah at the court that Jabbateh, alias “Jungle Jabbah”, was convicted in connection to some of the crimes Kosiah is accused of, including murder, rape, cannibalism. Wavre countered that Kosiah’s omission from the 98 recommended for prosecution did not mean he had not committed war crimes.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 21:48 UTC
Liberia: Hearing Officer Denies Edith Gongloe-Weah Re-run, Re-count in Nimba Senatorial Election
MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has denied and dismissed Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh complaint due to lack of substantial evidence. On Monday February 22, 2021, the Hearing Officer adjudicating the Edith Gongloe-Weh Fraud case against NEC, Cllr. NEC hearing officer based his ruling on the 2017 election case involving Cllr. He further noted that the burden of proof rest upon the person making the allegation and such evidence must always be produced beyond reasonable doubt. Harris further stated that, the testimonies and evidence produced by Madam Gongloe-Weh did not proof fraud and any basis for re-run or recount.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 21:33 UTC
Liberia: 4-Yr-Old Penis Chopped Off By ‘Quack’ Doctor During Circumcision
District #4, Grand Bassa — A four-year-old boy, Dehnyuwah Wheagon, is suffering from unprofessional circumcision which led to his penis being almost totally chopped off by a community “doctor” identified Solomon Goffa in District #4, Grand Bassa County. Report by Elton W. Tiah, ContributorAccording to reports, the penis of little Degyuwah Wheagon was allegedly cut off by the doctor when he carried out the circumcision. “When the doctors at the Liberia Government Hospital informed us that our son’s penis was cut off, we complained Solomon Goffa to the police,” George added. The child and his mother, Patience Wheagon are currently in Block B, New Buchanan Community, Grand Bassa County. Both Solomon Goffa and his assistant are currently being jailed at the Liberian National Police headquarters in Buchanan as investigation continues.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 21:22 UTC
‘Success Requires Committed Service’– University of Liberia 101st Keynote Speaker Cautioned Graduates
Monrovia – Liberia’s premier tertiary academic institution of learning, the University of Liberia (UL), has commenced its 101st graduation exercises for the academic year 2019/2020, graduating the first batch of 697 candidates from three colleges. This year’s commencement ceremony began with a joint program Monday, February 22, 2021 with UL’s foundational college, the Liberia College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the William V.S. “But I tell each of you, the backbone of success is service, hard work, is sleepless nights. Speaking to the Liberia College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ms. Fofana reminded them that they are from UL’s foundational college, challenging them to be the agents of change. Dr. Nelson appreciated the entire University of Liberia family for brightening the light to lead the institution to where it is.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 20:37 UTC
War Crimes Court Economics: Who Will Pay and Will it Boost Liberia’s Struggling Economy?
A war crimes court in Liberia could also bring some much-needed jobs and foreign currency into the struggling economy according to Liberian economist Samuel Jackson. But even at the level of the Sierra Leone Court, the impact could be important. Adama Dempster, a long-time human rights activist and war crimes court campaigner, dismisses that argument. Once international crimes are punishable under international laws, there should be international funding to support such a cause, says Dempster. “Let us not use lack of funding by the government as the basis for not wanting to establish a war crimes court here.”Hassan Bility, a long-time campaigner for the establishment of war crimes court and Executive Director for Global Justice and Research Project, supports Dempster’s assertion.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 20:27 UTC
Liberia: UN, EU, GOL Collaborate to Provide Stable Shelter for Ivorian Refugees in Liberia
The land was donated by the local residents following the intervention of the government through the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and resettlement Commission (LRRRC). “We appeal to the Government of Liberia to continue its generosity and help bring to fruition the refugees’ dream of becoming naturalized Liberian citizens. Refugees’ Housing Units Modelled after Govt’s PAPDAlso speaking, the Executive Director of the LRRRC, Rev. Logan noted that the roadmap is intended to construct housing units in Bahn and the transformed PTP Local Integration Community in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. He then called on the international community for more support to build additional housing units as the current ones cannot serve the entire refugee population.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 20:13 UTC
MNG Gold Commits to Liberia’s Development Agenda, Set to Complete Modern Health Facility and Senior High School in Kokoyah District
Kokoyah, Bong County – The management of MNG Gold has affirmed its commitment to contributing to the development drive of Liberia, promising to continue working with local communities affected by its mining operations in Kokoyah, Bong County. Among several other contributions, MNG Gold Liberia attaches great importance to education and makes large investments to the surrounding communities. The petitioners, however, acknowledged that the management of MNG Gold is constructing a 36-bed modern clinic in David Dean Town, Kokoya District. Twelve of these communities are towns and villages in Bong County while the other nine are towns and villages in Grand Bassa County. As part of plan to sustain the clinic, MNG Gold will fully fund the health facility for one whole year, which will run by the Ministry of Health.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 20:13 UTC
Liberia: Electoral District # 16 Development Council Chairman Reacts to CDC Representative Dixon Seeboe’s Claims Of Mismanaging Project Fund
“That project was mismanaged and did not get complete even though additional US$2,600 was allotted from the County Development Fund”. Duncan disclosed that Rep. Seeboe later hijacked the project even though it was at a completion stage. Duncan described Rep. Seeboe as a “divisive” lawmaker and a “confusionist”. When contacted via telephone, Rep. Seeboe emphasized that he stands by his report that the money was allegedly mismanaged by the DDC. So my first stance has been what is more important- What has been squandered or the completion of the bridge project?
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 19:52 UTC
Liberia: Edwin Snowe Certificated as Winner of Bomi County Senator
Mr. Snowe was certificated Monday, February 22, as winner of the December 8th 2020 Special Senatorial Election in Bomi County. Senator Snowe described the conduct of the Special Senatorial Election as free, fair and credible with the little resources provided to the Commission. The National Elections Commission, (NEC) Monday certificated Mr. Edwin Melvin Snowe as the winner the 8 December 2020 Special Senatorial Elections in Bomi County. This follows the reading of the mandate from the Supreme Court of Liberia affirming the decision of the Board of Commissioners of NEC declaring Snowe as Senator of Bomi County. This the NEC Chairperson said is in line with the decision of the Supreme Court of Liberia in the case Congress for Democratic Change, CDC versus the National Elections Commission, NEC, in 2015.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 08:37 UTC
The Current LACC Lacks The Legitimacy To Fight Corruption — It Must Be Reconstituted!
The core of the allegation was that the vice chairman committed acts of corruption, and that the LACC was investigating him. This moment presented the best opportunity to reform the LACC and strategically position it to support the new administration in the fight against corruption. In May 2020 Germany announced that it was ending bilateral development cooperation with 27 countries, including Liberia, for their failure to fight corruption and implement good governance reforms. Finally, it would be unreasonable to expect President Weah to end political corruption, an age-old problem, in a six-year term. He could, therefore, make a start at rebuilding trust and confidence in the institutions responsible to fight corruption, most notably the LACC, and the government at large.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 07:52 UTC
Liberia: ANC Political Leader Terms His Party as “Right Constituent Party of the CPP”
Monrovia — Mr. Alexander Benedict Cummings, Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), a political party within the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), has termed his party as the best among the four collaborating parties in the CPP. The Liberty Party, All Liberian Party, former ruling Unity Party and the Alternative National Congress are the four opposition parties that make up the CPP. “You have joined the right constituent party of the CPP,” the ANC Political Leader said. But Mr. Cummings does not see it that way. The ANC Political Leader said: “In the minds of Liberians there are only two political parties – the CDC and the CPP.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 07:51 UTC
Liberia: Environmental Protection Agency in Collaboration with Conservation International End Two Days IPPC Software Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Emission
Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Conservation International concluded two days energy training workshop on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Data collection inventory software. The Global Environment Facility supported the training session which also focused on strengthening institutional frameworks on the high level of GHG emission into the atmosphere which causes global warming or climate change. “Ecosystem is unpredictable as the sun is getting hotter, unless previous time where the seasons in Liberia were practically known amongst Liberia,” Minister Thompson said. Mr. Becker lauded Conservation International-Liberia for its magnanimous aid in working together with the government of Liberia to ensure a smooth rollout of the project. “Energy plays a pivotal and cardinal role when it comes to GHG related issues in Liberia, on this basis, the National Determine Contributions (NDCs) mitigation target does not leave out on Energy,” Mr. Becker said.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 06:33 UTC
USAID to Provide 2 Billion to Propel Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Washington – U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that the United States intends to provide an initial $2 billion, out of a total planned $4 billion, to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (Gavi COVAX AMC) to provide COVID-19 vaccines for 92 low- and middle-income countries. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development, this contribution will support the purchase and delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable and at-risk populations, including frontline health care workers. This support is critical to controlling the pandemic and slowing the emergence of new variants as well as helping restart the global economy, all of which will ultimately benefit the American people. The U.S. government will provide additional funding through 2022 and will work with other donors to make further pledges and commitments to meet the critical needs of the Gavi COVAX AMC. The Biden-Harris Administration has made it clear that our goal is to vaccinate vulnerablepopulations and reach those without other options, while working with our partners and governments around the world to ensure that none of us are in this alone
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 06:09 UTC
Will Africa Ever Get The Covid Vaccine?
Such disparity is driving concerns among regional stakeholders fearing the lack of vaccines at the disposal of the continent. In a statement last week, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) said it is deeply concerned about the lack of vaccines available for African countries. Reported deaths in Africa reached 100,325 and 3,347,374 people have recovered. South Africa has the most reported cases – 1,498,766 – and 48,708 people died. The U.S. government will provide additional funding through 2022 and will work with other donors to make further pledges and commitments to meet the critical needs of the Gavi COVAX AMC.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 23, 2021 06:03 UTC
The United National Security Council’s Structural Dysfunctionality: The Police that Has Become Unpoliceable
As the global order developed over time, it became almost predictable that nations were putting in place a system that could ensure world peace. World leaders were aware that lasting peace was only possible if all humans enjoyed equal protection and rights from the domestic and international fronts. Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter mandates the UNSC to determine the existence of any threat to the peace and to take military and nonmilitary action to restore international peace and security. The broader discretion to identify threats to the peace and determine mitigative efforts is exercised by only five of the 193 UN member countries, including the United States of America, China, Russia, France, and Great Britain. The UNSC members first emerged to police the World against the reoccurrence of a global conflict experienced during World War I and II.
Source:Front Page Africa
February 22, 2021 22:30 UTC